Spy x Family

TV review by Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media
Spy x Family TV Show: poster.

Common Sense says

age 13+

Spy-themed anime features fake family, some violence.

Hulu Action 2022
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Parents say

age 10+

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 11+

Based on 11 reviews

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  • Spy x Family TV Show: Twilight a.k.a. Loid
  • Spy x Family TV Show: Anya
  • Spy x Family TV Show: Yor
  • Spy x Family TV Show: Loid forgets himself.

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Spy x Family is a spy-themed anime series (available dubbed in English) that features fantasy violence (gunfire, physical altercations, explosions, and mild bloody wounds). There's also some innuendo, and occasional strong words. Lying and spying are themes, but it also underscores how the most untraditional families can still be loving and supportive in their own ways.

Community Reviews

PotatoJoe
PotatoJoe Adult
November 24, 2022
age 10+

Finally, an anime about family for family!

This is one of the most family-friendly "TV-14" shows I've ever seen. Yes there's a good bit bit of violence with gore but the focus on the family and the tone of the series make it something that can promote unity in the family. There's also no inappropriate "fan service" as of yet in the show. One scene in episode 9 does have suggestive content, but it's played for laughs and isn't particularly graphic or "sexy". In addition, there's a side character that can act inappropriately, and this is something to watch out for if it crosses a line in the future. But so far, it's one of the best anime I've ever seen. Inspirational, funny and something families can feel comfortable watching together. Hopefully it stays this way.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
liv33
liv33 Adult
November 5, 2022
age 10+

Appropriate for ages 10+

There is some cursing in this anime but it’s not a lot. Mild blood and or gore.
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

SPY X FAMILY is an anime series about a spy who must quickly build a nuclear family to maintain the balance of power between two bordering nations, Westalis and Ostania, that are enjoying a period of peaceful co-existence after years of war. On each side of the border, plots are being hatched to restart the conflict, requiring Twilight (Takuya Aguchi/Alex Organ), a master spy from Westalis, to thwart them. He takes each job in stride, but his latest mission, Operation Strix, requires him to go undercover as a parent and enroll a child in the prestigious Eden Academy to infiltrate the inner circle of one of Ostania's pro-war political leaders. Twilight, operating under the alias Loid Forger, quickly adopts Anya (Atsumi Tanezaki/Megan Shipman), an intelligent little girl who, unbeknownst to him, can read minds. He also marries Yor (Saori Hayami/Natalie Van Sistine) to create the perfect domestic unit. But while Loid works on completing his mission, Yor is hiding her own secrets. Neither one suspects the others of not being who they say they are, and no one reveals what they are really up to, but they somehow manage to happily live as a family and love each other.

Is It Any Good?

The entertaining animated series features lots of Cold War-like spy action while following a pair of undercover operatives from opposing sides as their fake family becomes a real one. In Spy x Family, both Loid and Yor negotiate the day-to-day expectations and responsibilities that come with domestic life, including raising a child, while still serving their respective political agencies. Meanwhile, Anya, thanks to her ability to read minds, knows everybody's secrets, but chooses not to say anything to preserve the manufactured household she loves. The challenges that come with living dual lives gets pretty complicated, but it keeps the narrative interesting. Overall, Spy x Family offers a combination of dynamic pseudo-family relationships and international espionage that makes for a fun watch.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the reasons why Loid, Anya, and Yor choose to look past the fact that the family they've become isn't based in reality. Will they be able to share their real identities and gifts with each other some day and still remain together?

  • Spy x Family takes place in an alternative story universe; could a spy create a fake family to fight a foreign enemy in real life? Or is that just a fictional premise to make spy work seem more entertaining?

TV Details

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